Frivolous lawsuits are causing Floridians’ health, car and homeowner insurance policies to skyrocket to unaffordable levels, In the past, the Florida legislature has failed to address this issue, but Governor Ron DeSantis’s Supreme Court picks could influence and push for a legislative solution.

For the past two years in a row, California topped ATRA’s annual ‘Judicial Hellholes’ report. Abusive litigation and massive settlements have caused California taxpayers both millions of dollars and hundreds of jobs.

For the ninth consecutive year, Louisiana has been named a ‘Judicial Hellhole,’ Lawsuit abuse watchdogs cited lawsuits against energy companies that allege coastal damage is linked to their operations, tort lawsuits regarding Americans with Disability Act compliancy issues and auto insurance premiums as reasons for the classification.

For the second year in a row, both Madison and St. Clair Counties were considered two of the worst jurisdictions in the country. Due to high volumes of abuse litigation, they ranked on the ‘Judicial Hellholes” list.

As Louisiana continues to be a Judicial Hellhole, people around the state are beginning to call for reform. Louisiana Lawsuit Abuse Watch and others have highlighted the economic impact of lawsuit abuse in recent weeks, and the toll that takes on the state.

As an increasing number of people take notice of the harmful effects of excessive litigation across Louisiana, citizens and businesses alike are speaking out. Louisiana Lawsuit Abuse Watch continues its efforts to garner support for meaningful reform and strip Louisiana of its “Judicial Hellhole” label.

Stephanie Riegel, Editor at the Greater Baton Rouge Business Report discusses grassroots efforts in the state to bring attention to the excessive costs of litigation in Louisiana. Without serious reform, costs will continue to rise and Louisiana taxpayers will be the ones footing the bill.

Louisiana Lawsuit Abuse Watch (LLAW) recently spoke to the Louisiana Record about a string of lawsuits over accidents at a local truck stop. Unfortunately, these often lack a solid grounding and contribute to the state’s already skyrocketing insurance costs.

According to a Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse study, tort costs have caused Florida to lose $11 billion in productivity. Florida Justice Reform Institute, a Tallahassee- based group, has been lobbying for tort reform for years and support CALA’s efforts.

A study conducted by Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse found that in 2018, the state’s economy lost $1.1 billion a year and more than 15,500 jobs. Further, the study claims the Louisiana state government loses 76.4 million a year in revenues as a result of excessive legal costs.

Consumers and lawyers have been abusing Proposition 65, a warning and signage requirement that has taken effect under California’s Safe Drinking Water Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986. Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse encourages business owners to set aside a little time to become familiar with OEHHA requirements as a way to protect themselves against meritless Prop. 65 litigation.

Governor Brown’s veto on AB 3080 helps to limit unnecessary lawsuits against employers which essentially harm jobs and growth of small business. Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse, one of the opponents of Assembly Bill, called the legislation “incredibly flawed” and praised Brown for “doing the right thing.”

Tort reform is a slow process and it can seem impossible, especially when advocating for substantive improvements that curtail income to trial lawyers. The worst thing Floridians can do here is nothing, it’s time to stand up for our businesses and communities and put an end to lawsuit abuse.

The Chamber continues to monitor and oppose the, “Personal Data Collection and Protection Ordinance.” There is no quicker way to prevent job announcements such as the one announced, than to seek a patchwork approach to policy that is designed only to enrich trial attorneys by opening up employers to frivolous lawsuits.

Louisiana has seen an increase in lawsuits against corporations. Director of the Louisiana Lawsuit Abuse Watch, Melissa Landry said, “It is further proof that American’s are being sold a dangerous bill of goods by those who promise that lawsuits provide viable solutions to addressing coastal erosion.”

West Virginia Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse applauds the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia for refusing to adopt ‘innovator liability,’ which attempts to hold makers of brand-name drugs liable for injuries allegedly caused by a generic version of a medication.